Redskins site tree mistake becomes free firewood

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RICHMOND, Va. (WTVR) - Richmond city leaders are trying to make the best of situation that uprooted suspicion and anger in many city residents.

"There was a discussion about how to make something good out of something bad," said Byron Marshall, Richmond’s Chief Administrative Officer.

It's been a few weeks since those feelings surfaced with the sight and sounds of an urban forest in Richmond being mistakenly plowed over. The city quickly said they'd replant the lost trees and then some but then there came questions about what to do with the trees that were bulldozed.

"Our goal is to turn that wood in to firewood to help those who truly need to stay warm this winter," said Council President Charles Samuels.

The newly proposed plan would give the trees removed from the new Redskins training site to a volunteer group called project WARM, short for the Wood Association of Richmond Metro.

The group works in conjunction with the Salvation Army. Project WARM’s mission is to deliver free firewood to people who most need it to heat their homes.

"The contractor is actually going to deliver these trees to project warm for free and then Project WARM will pass these on to families who need them," said Marshall.

City leaders say the idea to give the trees away gives them a chance to grow from their recent setback.

"Usually in construction scenarios when trees are removed from a property the lumber is sold but this way we're giving back to the community in a very tangible way," said Samuels.